Tories tell Burnham his 'excuse has gone' and demand he approves Jackdaw gas field immediately

From the Newshound archive · first published 11 October 2026 · last updated 12 October 2026.

The Conservatives are heaping pressure on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to green-light the Jackdaw gas field, alleging that he deliberately delayed a decision that was already prepared so as not to haemorrhage Green Party votes in last week's Holborn and St Pancras by-election. Shadow energy secretary Andrew Bowie says Labour's hesitation is "bleeding the North Sea of investment" and putting 200,000 skilled jobs at risk. Burnham has himself conceded that Britain will require oil and gas "for some time," giving critics ready-made ammunition. The platform is said to be 99% complete and the regulator wrapped up its consultation in August.

Tories claim Energy Secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh was days away from approving Jackdaw in September before Labour stalled for political reasons.

Bowie is calling on Burnham to give the go-ahead for the Rosebank oil field, lift the moratorium on new North Sea licences and abolish the windfall tax on energy profits.

Scrapping Labour's North Sea restrictions would unlock 2.9 billion barrels and deliver £165 billion in economic value, the Conservatives contend.